Since the beginning of the war, "OKKO" network has been working 24/7 and try to do everything possible to provide Ukraine and Ukrainians with fuel. However, we are receiving a lot of questions from our customers about fuel and operational modes of filling stations and whole network, so we prepared answers to the most common of them:
- WHY THERE IS A LACK OF FUEL AT FILLING STATIONS?
The reason for the lack of fuel at filling stations is the shortage in the market. Before the war, Ukraine consumed in average 950,000 tons of fuel per month (600,000 tons of diesel, 200,000 tons of gasoline, and 150,000 tons of liquefied gas). These volumes satisfied the needs of the market in unlimited quantities. But for comparison, in April, Ukrainian fuel market consumed 500,000 tons of fuel (300,000 tons of diesel, 150,000 tons of gasoline, and 50,000 tons of gas).
This shows a demand that is formed during the war. As of now this means, that the market need is about 500,000 tons of fuel every month. A significant part of this need was provided by the Kremenchuk Refinery complex, but after the severe enemy shelling at the end of April, it cannot resume its work. Thus, on the market has arisen a "hole" with a volume of about 200,000 tons. Other market participants cannot quickly close it, because there are two key problems: diversification of procurement markets and establishment of logistics chains. Before the war, a significant share of imports was Belarusian fuel, another part was transported by sea, the rest came from Europe. Now the first two channels are closed for us, all 100% have to be transported across the European border. As of today, "OKKO" network supplies fuel from Poland, Romania, Slovakia, as well as a number of even more distant countries. But the problem is not only where to buy fuel (part of the fuel contracted by us is already in the ports), the problem is how to transport it (this is also a question of the number of tank cars, and gasoline tankers, and storage tanks, because part of this infrastructure is simply destroyed). So until the supply chains will be fixed and the geography of purchases will expand, the market might experience disruptions of supply.
- WHY THERE IS REFUELLING LIMIT?
Because of a sufficient shortage in the market, we cannot meet 100% of the demand. In order to avoid a situation when there is no fuel at all and knowing how much we have purchased and when it will arrive at the filling station, company is forced to set limits in order to distribute the batch among the largest possible number of cars.
Additionally, there are several important situational factors to consider:
First of all, from a technical point of view, we cannot exhaust the fuel in the tanks to zero, so as not to inject air into the pipelines. Therefore, there is a critical level of residues after reaching which the filling station stops fuel release.
Second, the priority is to refuel critical infrastructure - the Armed Forces, medical corps, firefighters, police, public transport, etc. We always have to keep a reserve for them.
Third, business. In order for further functioning of Ukrainian economy, business has to be provided with fuel, because the availability of products in stores, medicine in pharmacies, operation of factories, and the spring sowing campaign depends on our reserves. And, of course, private people. In conditions of a shortage, as a rule people try to buy fuel reserves for themselves and for resale, so we are forced to limit this category as well.
- WHAT ARE THE REFUELING LIMITS AND WHERE TO FIND INFORMATION ABOUT?
Currently, OKKO has personal limits for each participant of the Fishka loyalty program. With the Fishka card, depending on the personal limit, you can refuel from 15 to 30 liters in one car (provided that there is available fuel for payment with cash or by bank card). The limit is valid for one refueling with Fishka card. The next time you can refuel is after 3 hours, but no more than 3 times a day. Therefore, we recommend that you check your limits or get a Fishka card, if you don't have one yet, before visiting a filling station. The easiest way to do this is to install the mobile application on iOS or Android and the Fishka virtual card will always be at a hand. Limits will be reviewed as fuel stocks increase at filling stations. Follow the information in the Fishka mobile application and on the OKKO website.
- WHY PRICES ON FUEL HAVE RISEN?
A number of factors influence the fuel prices. First of all, the growth of the USD rate and world oil prices. For comparison, last June oil was traded at $69 per barrel, and as of May, 17, the price has already reached $115 per barrel and continues to grow. Second, we previously managed to optimize logistics costs due to the diversification of the resource: part of the fuel went from Belarus, part - through southern ports, and another part through the European border. Now we transfer 100% fuel from Europe and compete for it with European countries, and the European market itself is experiencing a shortage. For example, Poland today imports as much as Ukraine consumes as a whole, despite the fact that they have 2 of their own operating factories. Another factor is the oil embargo, which Europe is preparing for. Some countries are already abandoning cheap Russian oil and oil products and are looking for alternatives, thereby creating competition on the market, which also, as a result, causes the resource to rise in price. Accordingly, a new market is currently being built in Ukraine, filled with an extremely expensive European resource against the background of the growth of the dollar, complicated external logistics and destroyed internal infrastructure (oil depots and filling stations), so the further price of oil products will depend on the factors described above.
- HOW TO FIND OUT WHERE FUEL IS AVAILABLE?
Before arrival to the filling station, we highly recommend you to verify whether fuel is available at this station and is it possible to purchase with your form of payment (cash/bank card/vouchers/ fuel card). Since the situation changes literally every hour, check the availability of fuel immediately before entering the filling station. Verifying can be done either in Telegram bot - to do this, enter OKKO filling station search in the Telegram search field; or you can also use website Map on okko.ua. Choose the filling station you are interested in and read the detailed information carefully. If you had the map opened before, don't forget to refresh the tab to update the information. In addition, you can call OKKO hotline 0 800 501 101 and operators will provide you with all up-to-date information on each filling station.
- WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN FISHKA CARD AND FUEL CARD?
Fishka card is a loyalty program card for individual OKKO clients. The easiest way to get it is by installing Fishka mobile application. With this card, you will be able to receive revised fuel limits, and in the application you will always find up-to-date information about operating filling stations, available fuel, and also you can refuel via OKKO PAY.
Fuel card is a product for legal entities. To get it, company needs to sign a contract in one of our official offices. However, given the situation on the fuel market, we are not currently concluding any new contracts. Follow information on OKKO's official website and social networks.
- HOW TO BUY A FUEL CARD OR COUPONS?
Under normal conditions, fuel cards and coupons are available only to legal entities. However, given to the situation on the fuel market, we are currently not concluding new contracts. Follow information on OKKO's official website and social networks.
- ARE THERE ANY EXCEPTIONS FOR VOLUNTEERING FOUNDATIONS AND PUBLIC ORGANIZATIONS THAT NEED COUPONS?
Exclusively for official foundations, public organizations, which are engaged in this important work for the country and people, we have kept the possibility of purchasing coupons. Purchase requests are accepted only from officially registered organizations (meaning that requests from private individuals will not be considered). The application form can be sent to csr@gng.com.ua. In the letter carefully indicate the name of the foundation (legal and "image"), official documents, links to official resources, contact details of the representatives, as well as a request in an liberate form, indicating how much fuel is needed and for what needs. Please note that all documents and requests are checked precisely. If the fund passes the inspection, it receives a response within 1-2 days with clear instructions and the contact of the OKKO representative, who will accompany the process in the future. If the organization does not pass the inspection, it will be notified of the refusal letter indicating the reasons.
- HOW DOES OKKO HELP DURING THE WAR?
As of May 25, the total amount of aid provided with the assistance of OKKO company for the needs of defense and support of war victims is up to UAH 47.9 million. OKKO helps Ukrainian defenders, volunteer and public organizations with fuel, funds, and goods. In particular, from the first days of the war, the company started a partnership with “COME BACK ALIVE” charitable foundation, which has been helping the Armed Forces of Ukraine for many years.
OKKO continues to provide fuel to volunteer and public organizations that evacuate civil population from combat zones, transport humanitarian aid, etc. Fuel aid was also provided to the units of State Emergency Service, medical corps, other enterprises and organizations that ensure the country's vital activities.
OKKO also continues the initiative "Warm the defenders", in which together with our customers, we treat defenders. Free hotdogs and hot beverages are served for soldiers at stations near the frontline. More than 215,000 servings of coffee and 119,000 hot dogs have been already served that amounts to more than 18 million hryvnias. We do not plan to stop there, if you also want to join, you can donate points in the Fishka app -> the "Charity" section or directly leave any possible money for this initiative at the filling station - for this, contact the cashier.